“All out of smoke and mirrors”
From Steelers.com – Bob Labriola on the loss to the Ravens:
By 7:30 p.m., the last of the smoke had cleared and the final mirror was broken. The Steelers had run out of ways to try to camouflage, to work around, to hide the cracks with spackle and paint. Everything in the National Football League is on video, the eye in the sky does not lie, and as a result smoke and mirrors only can take you so far.
The end of the road for them came here, at M&T Bank Stadium in a 28-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Alas, there would be no miracle, and the 2019 NFL season ended for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That it ended in late December instead of mid-September is a testament to their grit and willingness to run toward the fight, but there seemed to be little doubt that it would end prematurely, and that this would be the reason for its end.
When it became a medical certainty that Ben Roethlisberger would need surgery to repair his right elbow, and when the timetable for the procedure and then the rehabilitation was going to subtract him from the equation for the rest of their season, the Steelers prospects for 2019 started circling the drain. When an 0-3 start became 8-5 following a six-point victory in Arizona three weeks before Christmas, visions of sugar plums danced in the heads of Steelers fans all over the nation, but with each improbable victory more video became available on what they were doing and the noose continued to tighten.
At the collegiate level, you might be able to win with schemes, but in the NFL you have to win with players. And the most important player on every team is the quarterback.
The Steelers’ 2019 season was a perfect storm of injuries to key offensive personnel and blanket inexperience in too many other areas….
You can read more here.
A Roethlisberger Family Christmas
And then this happened!! When Momma tells you to put the matching pjs on – you put them on, even the dogs!
Merry Christmas to everyone out there from the matching Roethlisberger family! Hope everyone has a blessed day, and remembers that the real reason for today is because Jesus was born! — Ben, Ashley, ‘Jamin, Bay, Bo and Remy & ‘Kota.
P.S. Contrary to recent reports out there about my football future and my ‘uncertainty’ about playing again, I am working hard and am more determined than ever to come back stronger and better than ever next year!
Early Christmas gifts for two police departments
The Flemington Police Department would first like to thank Ben Roethlisberger and his great Foundation for their support. We are honored to have been selected for this grant. Without the Foundation, departments like ours would not be able to keep K-9 units operating. Our K-9 Unit which was formed in 2017, solely operates on fundraising and donations. This grant will be used to keep both of our K-9’s well-equipped and safe so that they can continue apprehending criminals and keep up with the fight against drugs in Flemington and surrounding communities. We are very appreciative and our K9’s Jax and Kita (pictured below) will benefit greatly.— Lieutenant William Soriano, Flemington Borough Police Department.
The Town of Kent Police K-9 Unit is humbled by the generous grant for equipment from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. We are a small department and are consistently looking for ways to better serve our community without placing a larger tax burden on our residents. Our two dogs are a vital part of our department and our community; in the last several years they have tracked both endangered persons and criminal suspects, located evidence, conducted countless […]
It’s all about the Benjamin
The ever-patient Bob Labriola at Steelers.com answers fan questions in his weekly “Asked & Answered” column. Thought I’d share the most recent Q&A’s regarding #7. Enjoy!
From December 22nd:
JACKSON LATTA FROM PRESTONSBURG, KY: I love your column, but I can’t get past how many people write to you speculating about the futures of Devlin Hodges, Mason Rudolph, or some other quarterback du jour. Are you surprised that more people aren’t putting this season into perspective and fully appreciating just how fortunate the Steelers have been to have Ben Roethlisberger for these last 17 seasons, and counting?
BOB LABRIOLA:When it comes to sports fans, and what interests them, or angers them, or what they choose to appreciate vs. expect vs. complain about, little surprises me anymore.
JACOB MCBETH FROM CHEYENNE, WY: The offense seems highly disorganized at times – multiple receivers in the same spot, not “clocking” the ball when ordered from the sideline, etc. What will it take to lessen this sloppy play?
BOB LABRIOLA: Nothing more than an experienced, veteran, proven quarterback running the show. Young players need time to develop. Here’s a little fun fact about that: On the days when Ben Roethlisberger is given the day off at training camp, practices routinely run up to 15 minutes late because of the extra time spent getting in and out of the huddle, getting the play called correctly, lining up properly, etc. This is the Ben Roethlisberger effect. Appreciate him while he’s here.
From December 19th:
KWAME FREEMAN FROM PITTSBURGH, PA: This 2019 season has seen a return to classic defensive/running the football season for the Steelers. When Ben Roethlisberger returns, do you expect them to get away from this style of football? Also, if Ben does his usual light reps during training camp, and sits out all of the preseason games, how would you expect him to start 2020?
BOB LABRIOLA: Coach Mike Tomlin is, and has been, a believer in managing the wear and tear on Ben Roethlisberger’s right arm, and you can expect that to continue during the post-surgery process. The goal during the offseason will be to get Roethlisberger back from the surgery and then to prepare him for the 17 weeks of the regular season. It’s going to be a process, and these kinds of processes often don’t progress smoothly. Be patient. He doesn’t have a […]
Christmas, Steelers Style
Blake was born wrapped in a terrible towel. He has loved the Steelers and Big Ben since a young age. This is a throwback picture of 2005 and him now. We normally ask for a Steeler Super Bowl win for Christmas but this year we want a healthy Big Ben ready for 2020 Steeler football!! — Merry Christmas, Jon, Davah, Blake and Fourteen.
@_BigBen7 Happy Holidays Ben!!!
My Steelers tree! — Mysti Dinger.
3 Goats at the top of my tree…@_BigBen7 @tpolamalu @francoharrishof
@_BigBen7 come back more strong and win the super bowl #HereWeGo @steelers @acereros
Here is a photo of my 2019 Steeler Christmas Tree. — Althea Kristufek.
@_BigBen7 Christmas tree decorating complete! #BigBen7
No one can capture December in Pittsburgh…
“Every year around this time, this image skyrockets to one of the most popular images on my portfolio site. I gotta admit, it’s definitely one of my favorite snowy images of Pittsburgh, with just the incline visible during a complete whiteout.”
“Even with the rain, I ventured into Pittsburgh this morning to capture the holiday decorations, hoping for some reflections on the wet streets. In this view, star shaped lights illuminate the path to the tree at PPG Place, with the dreary weather creating a moody atmosphere.”
“I swear, the holiday show at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh gets more and more colorful every year, and this year was no exception. It look absolutely spectacular tonight, lit up with a rainbow of lights, making for this picturesque view as people rushed in and out.”
“What a sight in Pittsburgh this morning: the Christmas tree at the Point stands out against PPG Place and a clear blue sky, with the star atop the tree acting like another spire atop the distinctive building. Definitely one of my new favorite holiday images.”
“Most of the selective color images that I do of Pittsburgh revolve around the black and gold theme. However this aerial from last week was just too perfect to not highlight the Christmas tree at the Point. It almost looks like it’s coming right off the screen.”